TinkerFest 2024, held on 23rd December 2024 in Soro, Balasore, Odisha, was a landmark event, bringing together over 3,000 students, parents, and educators to witness history in the making. This year’s event showcased the transformative power of hands-on learning, where students built and launched a satellite prototype, proving that innovation knows no boundaries, even in rural settings.
TinkerFest 2024 marked the culmination of Young Tinker’s efforts in Soro, Balasore, where ToW – Tinker on Wheels impacted over 1,679 students through its Basic STEM Program.
TinkerFest 2024, held in Soro, Balasore, Odisha, was organized by the Young Tinker Foundation in collaboration with several schools, including Radhanath Bidyapitha, Radhanath (U.P) School, Gopinath Govt. High School, Kudei, Maudamani Govt. High School, Barahpur, Bankabihari (U.P) School, Barahpur, Hemaprava Govt. High School, Krushnachander Saraswati Sishuvidya Mandir, Satyananda High School, and St. Xavier’s High School, Uttareswar, with immense support from SORO Volunteers.
The program began with great fanfare as three school bands marched together in a grand convoy, setting the stage for an unforgettable opening ceremony.
YTSAT 1.0: A Satellite Built by Village Students
A team of eight students from Soro underwent rigorous one-month training to build YTSAT 1.0, a CubeSat (cube-sized satellite). Among them was Satyajeet, the son of a carpenter, who created the prototype using indigenous bamboo sourced from his village. The CanSat, equipped with sensors and communication technology, was designed to measure temperature, humidity, and air quality. The satellite is 10.5cm x 10.5cm x 10.5 xm in dimenson.
Key components of YTSAT 1.0 included:
- Microcontroller: Arduino Nano
- Sensors: DHT11 and BMP
- Communication Module: LoRa
The highlight of the event was the satellite’s launch via a helium balloon, which ascended to 12 kilometers, successfully recording environmental data. A digital countdown on a large screen united the audience in rhythmic excitement as the balloon ascended. The mission’s success inspired all attendees, proving that even rural students can achieve extraordinary feats with the right guidance and resources.
The students Satellite YTSAT (Young Tinker Student Astronomy Team), led by Digbijay Sahu, a grade 9 student, includes:
Digbijay Sahu – Lead, Rutuparna Jena – Parachute Lead, Satyajit Moharana – Structural Lead, Koushik Kar – Design Lead, Chiranjib Barik – 3D Printing Lead, Jigyansa Sahu, Archana Jena and Debasmita Barik. The Students were mentored by mentors and founders of Young Tinker Foundation.
YTSAT Team met Hon’ble Govornor of Odisha, Shri Raghubar Das at Raj Bhawan, Odisha on 20 Dec 2024 ahead of YTSAT 1.0 launch.
World Record Attempt: Largest Science Experiment
The festival also featured a world record attempt, where students and teachers from nine schools joined hands to create paper helicopters as part of a massive science experiment. This activity involved not only students but also parents, villagers, and distinguished guests, giving everyone the opportunity to become Young Tinkers for the day.
Cultural and Inspirational Highlights
The event celebrated Odisha’s rich heritage with traditional Odissi dance performances by local children, adding cultural vibrancy to the scientific milestones.
A truly memorable moment unfolded with the presentation of the prestigious “Soul of the Soil Award” to Shri Nihar Ranjan Rout by the Young Tinker Foundation, recognizing his extraordinary support for the students of Soro. The award, known as the “Young Tinker Medallion,” is a stunning creation of tribal dokra art. This intricate process involves layering soil over a wax mold, heating it, and pouring molten metal into the mold. As the metal cools, the wax melts away, unveiling a breathtaking piece of craftsmanship.
The medallion not only symbolizes achievement but also mirrors the transformative journey from soft wax to a remarkable marvel—much like how students, with guidance and nurturing, can grow into exceptional individuals. Shri Rout has exemplified this philosophy, leaving a profound impact through his grounded approach and dedication to giving back to his roots.
A proud alumnus of Radhanath Bidyapitha Government School, where Tinkerfest was hosted, Shri Rout shared: “I was once a student of this very school. My dream is to help these students learn and become the torchbearers of the future.”
This award celebrates Shri Rout’s inspiring contributions while embodying the values of resilience, humility, and transformation—reminding us of the extraordinary potential that lies within, waiting to be nurtured.
Distinguished Guests and Their Message
Tinkerfest 2024 was graced by a stellar lineup of speakers and guests who inspired students to dream big:
🌟 Shri J.A. Chowdary: Former ISRO scientist, co-founder of PortalPlayer (acquired by NVIDIA), and IT advisor to the CM of Andhra Pradesh.
🌟 Smt. Dr. S. Seetha Somasundaram: Former ISRO expert and Program Director of the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan).
🌟 Shri Siddhartha Mohanty: Founder of Brahma Kamal and advisor to the Young Tinker Foundation.
🌟 Shri AY Anand Raj: Principal Staff Officer, Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
🌟 Shri Subba Raju Pericherla: Founder of CrossBorders and Chair of TYE TiE Hyderabad.
🌟 Shri Raghunath Jagadala: MLA, Birmaharajpur, Odisha.
🌟 Shri Madhab Dhada: MLA, Soro, Balasore.
🌟 Smt. Prachee Tanaya Giri: District Education Officer, Balasore.
Their presence and words of encouragement left a profound impact on the students, motivating them to pursue their aspirations fearlessly.
The Power of Appreciation
At Tinkerfest 2024, Young Tinker made it a priority to acknowledge and celebrate everyone who contributed to this remarkable initiative. Appreciation became the cornerstone of the event, highlighting the immense value of teamwork and dedication.
The volunteers from Soro, led by Shri Nihar Rout and Shri Abdul Wadood, were applauded for their unwavering commitment. Mentors Pinmaya Jena and Jayashree were also recognized for their guidance and efforts in shaping the students’ journey. One of the most heartwarming moments was when school teachers and principals were invited on stage to be felicitated. Each was presented with a personalized memento featuring their school’s motto and a group photo of their students. The students erupted in cheers, celebrating their educators in a way that had never been done before. Many of the school administrators became emotional, expressing that they had never been appreciated so profoundly.
The students from various teams, including the YTSAT 1.0 satellite team, the ToW pitch team, performers, and NCC cadets, were also honored for their contributions. Their hard work and achievements were met with immense applause, inspiring everyone in attendance.
Adding a unique cultural touch, all esteemed guests were presented with mementos showcasing Odisha’s traditional Pattachitra tribal art, a symbol of the state’s rich heritage and artistic legacy. This thoughtful gesture not only honored the guests but also celebrated Odisha’s vibrant culture.
Through these acts of appreciation, Young Tinker demonstrated the transformative power of recognition, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters for TinkerFest — SELF (Sachi Ecopowered Livelihood Foundation) and Minco Foods.
ToW Impact and Future Plans
The Tinker on Wheels (ToW) initiative impacted 1,679 students in Soro and is now expanding to Anantapur and Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The selected students from Tinkerfest Soro will also have the opportunity to represent India at the Unicorns Event in Dallas, USA, this May.
The event also highlighted the Young Tinker Foundation’s partnership with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation. Aimée Fagan, Head of EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) at Micro:bit, extended her best wishes to the students for TinkerFest.
Join the Tinkerfest Movement
Tinkerfest 2024 has set the stage for an annual celebration of innovation and creativity in Soro. Schools, colleges, NGOs, and institutions interested in hosting their own Tinkerfest can apply for a free license by visiting youngtinker.org/tinkerfest.
This year’s Tinkerfest wasn’t just an event—it was a movement, inspiring students, parents, and educators to believe in the power of hands-on learning and the potential of young minds to shape the future.
The program was very amazing.Thanks to Anil and Nihar for their spirit in creating a scientific environment in a small area like Soro and preparing the students to dream an enlightened future.Let the mission continue to prepare more young minds towards innovation of new things in the days to come.